Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Diktaean, Self Improvement qualify via Korea

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar is 52 days away. Catch up on the latest news and developments with our weekly Breeders’ Cup Roundup:

Diktaean takes Korea Cup, Self Improvement stars in Korea Sprint

South Korea hosted a pair of Breeders’ Cup qualifiers on Sunday, and both were won by horses based outside of the country.

The Korea Cup (G3), a 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), went to Diktaean of Japan. He dropped far behind the pace set by Great Winner and Chancheng Glory, then unleashed a sustained rally around the far turn and down the homestretch to catch Chancheng Glory by one length in 1:50.80.

The 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) Korea Sprint (G3) awarded a Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) berth to Self Improvement, an Australian-bred gelding based in Hong Kong. After tracking the pace in second place, Self Improvement was initially outkicked by Japan’s Chikappa, who slipped through an opening inside of rivals. But Self Improvement never gave up and surged ahead in the final strides to win by half a length in 1:10.50.

It remains to be seen whether Diktaean and Self Improvement will accept their Breeders’ Cup berths. According to the South China Morning Post, Self Improvement may instead target the 2026 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) in Dubai.

Ole Crazy Bone upsets Kentucky Turf Cup

Coming into Saturday’s 1 1/2-mile Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) at Kentucky Downs, Ole Crazy Bone had placed three times at the stakes level without winning. That changed in decisive fashion when the 6-1 shot charged to a 3 3/4-length victory over the unique European-style turf course at Kentucky Downs.

Ole Crazy Bone was never more than 3 1/2 lengths behind a runaway leader before gradually edging up and taking command to defeat multiple graded stakes winner Tawny Port in 2:24.72. The victory earned Ole Crazy Bone a Win and You’re In berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

Woodbine Mile leads trio of Canadian qualifiers

This Saturday, Woodbine in Canada is hosting three top-tier Breeders’ Cup qualifiers.

The Woodbine Mile (G1), a pivotal prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), leads the slate. While the field is still in flux, the list of nominees includes defending Woodbine Mile winner Win for the Money, multiple Group 1 winner and 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile third-place finisher Notable Speech, and American Turf (G1) hero Zulu Kingdom.

The one-mile Summer (G1) awards a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Wild Desert, a Godolphin homebred exiting a third-place finish in England’s Superlative (G2), has been nominated by trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won a bevy of Group 1 races at Woodbine through the years.

Appleby also has a nominee for the Natalma (G1), a one-mile stepping stone to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Appleby’s potential contender is Dance To The Music, whose 2-for-2 record includes a win in England’s Sweet Solera (G3) last month.

Five Breeders’ Cup berths up for grabs in Ireland

The international portion of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series continues in a big way this weekend with a quintet of qualifiers in Ireland:

• On Saturday at Leopardstown, the 1 1/4-mile Irish Champion (G1) awards the winner an entry into the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Eclipse (G1) hero and Juddmonte International (G1) runner-up Delacroix leads the prospective field.
• The Irish Champion undercard includes the one-mile Matron (G1), a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). January and Fallen Angel, separated by a head when running 1-2 in the Prix Rothschild (G1) in France last month, are the two favorites in the early betting.
• Also on the Saturday card at Leopardstown, the one-mile KPMG Champions Juvenile (G2) will award a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The field is far from finalized, but early entries include Tyros (G3) winner North Coast and Futurity (G2) third-place finisher Constitution River.
• The action heads to the Curragh on Sunday for the Flying Five (G1), an aptly named five-furlong dash serving as a Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) qualifier. Asfoora, who already earned a Turf Sprint berth when taking the Nunthorpe (G1), is favored over Commonwealth Cup (G1) conqueror Time For Sandals in the early betting.
• The Curragh’s Sunday card also includes the Moyglare Stud (G1), a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Early betting favors Composing, winner of the Silver Flash (G3) and Debutante (G2) as part of a three-race win streak, and Venetian Sun, whose 4-for-4 tally includes triumphs in the Prix Morny (G1), Duchess of Cambridge (G2), and Albany (G3).

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Qualifiers

The following horses have secured Win and You’re In berths to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series:

Breeders’ Cup Classic

Antiquarian
Costa Nova
Fierceness
Forever Young
Journalism
Hit Show
Mindframe
Ombudsman
Sierra Leone

Breeders’ Cup Turf

Calandagan
Danon Decile
El Cordobes
Gold Phoenix
Intense for Me
Meisho Tabaru
Ole Crazy Bone
Ombudsman
Sinsel

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Dorth Vader
Sarawak Rim
Seismic Beauty
Thorpedo Anna

Breeders’ Cup Mile

Deterministic
Docklands
Gran Oriente
Jantar Mantar
One Stripe
Qirat
Soul Rush

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Dark Saffron
Lovesick Blues
Self Improvement
Straight No Chaser

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Book’em Danno
Diktaean
Dr. Venkman
Raging Torrent 
Touch of Destiny

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Ascoli Piceno
Bellezza
Double Grand Slam
La Kika
Minnie Hauk
She Feels Pretty
Whirl

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

Hope Road

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Ag Bullet
American Affair
Asfoora
Bear River
Motorious

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Tommy Jo

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

Gewan

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Precise

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

Charles Darwin
Lady Iman